Kyle and her husband moved to Brookfield in 1986. She became active in local politics and started blogging in 2004. Her focus is primarily on local issues but often includes state and national topics, too. Kyle looks at things from the taxpayers' perspective in a creative, yet down to earth way, addressing them from a practical point of view.

References to Gov. Palin’s experience as Commander of Alaska’s National
Guard have been greeted with hoots of derision by the know-it-alls on
the left, who generally know very little at all about the nation’s
military defense. It turns out she’s in charge of some pretty darn
important stuff because Alaska is our first line of defense in
something that may seem anachronistic but is still very much a part of
defending America’s safety: our missile interceptor defense system.

The 49th Missile Defense Battalion of the Alaska Air National Guard is,
the email tells us the 49th is “the unit that protects the entire
nation from ballistic missile attacks.” That sounded a bit much, so I
checked with - who else - Frank Gaffney:

The 49th Missile Defense Battalion (GMD) was activated on January 22, 2004 at Fort Greely
[Alaska]. The battalion will provide operational control and security
over ground-based interceptors located in Alaska to protect the nation
from limited ballistic missile attacks. Alaska National Guard Soldiers
will man the battalion as part of their homeland defense mission.

This is the first unit of its kind.

The battalion is part of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade
(Ground-based Midcourse Defense) headquartered in Colorado Springs,
Colo. The battalion, which at full-authorized strength will number 110
soldiers, will provide operational control and security over
ground-based interceptors located in Alaska.

Alaska National Guard soldiers will man the battalion as part of the homeland defense mission. (Global Security)

The email also mentions that the 49th is the only National Guard
outfit that’s on permanent active duty, and that as Gov, Palin is
briefed on its activities, which could involve some rather advanced
security clearances.

Beyond that, the email points out that as a governor she receives
classified briefings on homeland security issues and counterterrorism -
more than Obama might have received since he has no relevant committee
appointments, and probably wasn’t in Washington for any briefings that
might have happened.

The email speculates that “Given Alaska’s proximity to Russia, she
may have security clearances we don’t even know about.” I don’t know
about that other than to know it’s a statement that can be neither
proved nor disproved. The email’s close is definitely provable though:

According to the Washington Post, she first met with McCain in
February, but nobody ever found out. This is a woman used to keeping
secrets.

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